He is also said to have grown wise to a ploy in which aides ask for more time when presented with an extreme demand, in the hope he will have changed his mind about it before their deadline arrives.

The first sign of Trump’s rebelliousness came when he ignored pleas for more time to work on his import tariffs, which have sparked market angst amid fears of a trade war with China.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Another sign of Trump’s newfound refusal to heed advice came last week when Trump demanded the US pull out of Syria immediately, despite repeated comments from his staff that there were no plans to do so.

Trump at a tax reform debate in West Virginia last week. He tossed a prepared speech to the floor after branding it ‘boring’ (Picture: AFP)

He gleefully tossed a prepared speech off his desk during a tax reform debate in West Virginia, saying: ‘The hell with it.

‘I said, “This is boring, come on.” Tell it like it is.’

Insiders say staff changes at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue are partly to blame, with the departure of former staff secretary Rob Porter over wife-beating claims removing one of the few aides Trump would listen to.

The sources told AP that aides have even resorted to ringing TV personalities Trump likes in a bid to hear their thoughts on his proposals, and talk him down from some of his more outlandish plans.

But they appear to be facing an uphill battle, with Trump doubling-down on his plans to hit China with tariffs Monday.

He tweeted: ‘When a car is sent to the United States from China, there is a Tariff to be paid of 2 1/2%.

‘When a car is sent to China from the United States, there is a Tariff to be paid of 25%.

‘Does that sound like free or fair trade. No, it sounds like STUPID TRADE – going on for years!’